Lewis Hamilton stays busy with April testing with Ferrari

After the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, drivers have a month-long break from competing after Suzuka. The season will resume with the Miami Grand Prix on the first weekend of May.

Still, multiple test sessions will be carried out. After Red Bull and Racing Bulls had a two-day tyre test at the Suzuka Circuit, Hamilton is back in action this week.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion completed a total of 142 laps on day one at the Fiorano circuit, covering a total of 423 kilometres.

On an artificially watered track, Hamilton first tested the full wet, then the intermediate tyres. The quickest time he set on a short circuit was a 1:01.031.

This Friday, Hamilton will continue running test programmes with Ferrari and Pirelli, with the sessions once again focused on wet-weather running.

The Ferrari driver had a positive first three rounds of the season so far, and also managed to score his first Grand Prix podium with Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix.

As a result, Hamilton also made the F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe's list of top five most impressive drivers so far this year, together with Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly and Oliver Bearman.

The Canadian wrote: "It showed that Hamilton is still willing and perfectly able to go toe-to-toe with one of the best in the business. Seeing him finally lift a trophy in a GP for the Scuderia was a real highlight of the year so far."

He added: "That said, he always runs well there, and is pretty formidable in Australia historically. With Leclerc having his number all weekend in Japan, I will be watching closely to see if this competitiveness continues or takes a similar trajectory as last season. Here’s hoping for the former."